This blog was written by Kimberly Nicolasora
With the spring/summer season halfway complete, the start of classes is fast approaching! Before we can party with friends during The Commerce Week (TCW), we have to enroll in our classes first. Picking classes can be a blood bath. There’s no transparent rubric on how a student gets their registration date. The only thing a student can do is be prepared—with enough forward-thinking and strategizing, you can safely steer yourself out of any crisis.
Premediating is helpful in any situation. The Asper School of Business program guide is a helpful resource for planning your schedule. A quick google search away, this guide summarizes the courses you require, alongside the core courses for each major. Each major can vary; some core classes tend to have specific prerequisites that can be complicated. Seeking guidance from academic advisors will help tremendously in figuring out what and when to take classes, especially if you’re striving to obtain a higher level designation after graduation, going on exchange, or possibly doing work terms with the co-op program.
Planning your schedule can be overwhelming at any point in your academic career. While first-year students generally have a list of suggested classes, it’s not always terrible to stray. You don’t have to take the recommended elective of critical thinking or schedule your micro/macroeconomics in your first year. Registering for the introductory course for marketing or accounting during your first year can be advantageous for some. If you’re 100% decided on your major, taking related classes early can help save electives with lighter courseload for your last year. However, if you’re like the average undergraduate who is not 100% settled on a major, then explore your options! Many students don’t pick the right major on their first try—an interesting class or meaningful work term can help you decide.
Cindy Chan, a fifth-year student majoring in Accounting, didn’t start in her current major. Initially, a Human Resource student, Cindy made the switch after chatting with the controller of her workplace during lunch. Speaking with an industry professional gave her more insight into the role and shed a new light on her expectations towards accounting. This prompted her to attend the ASBAA Wine and Cheese and completely change her major.
The Commerce degree requires each student to take every introductory course for each major, so courses such as Corporate Finance or Financial Accounting might seem intimidating at first glance, but who knows? So, take all the introductory courses you’re interested early on because you might end up enjoying it—or not, but at least you know!
Even so, the gap between applied knowledge and theories can be significantly wide. Classes can be difficult, but sometimes you need to push yourself a little more toward the goal you want to complete. Cindy advises not to get too absorbed with the people around you. She states, “I used to worry about whether I was doing enough or whether I was smart enough. All these questions ever did was nothing but stress me out. You deserve to be here because you ARE here. Take your time. University is a marathon, not a sprint.” At the end, the number of times you fail throughout the university will be insignificant. All you need is to succeed once, and if that’s after two or three tries, that’s okay!
Cindy adds on by saying, “There’s no need to rush, you have the rest of your life to work. I am the type of student who takes three courses a term, but do whatever you think you are capable of when planning your schedule. [Make the most of your time], don’t be afraid to make mistakes in a class or talk to a professor. It happens to everyone.” University is the place for young adults to better themselves and build meaningful friendships. “Honestly, it is harder to meet new people during Covid. Before, it used to be as easy as asking the person next to you for a pencil, but remember, everyone around you is going through the same situation. So, I recommend joining committees and school groups—not just for building experience on your resume, but also to network with peers. I met a lot of people through mutual friendships, so definitely keep that in mind.”
Learning how to balance your academic, social, and personal life while having an adequate sleeping and eating schedule can be challenging. While grades are an important aspect of your academic career, being a well-rounded and well-rested individual can also lead you to succeed just as much, maybe even more. While it might sound like a pass to relax towards your classes, it’s merely a helpful reminder that you recall information better if you feel fulfilled in other aspects of your life. So, reach out to upper-level students within your desired major or apply for student mentorship—which is available for both 1st and 2nd-year students. Developing good habits, and opening yourself to information early on will help you tremendously throughout your academic career.
Catching Up With the CSA
Last month was jam-packed with events to help revitalize campus life.
1. Asper 101
Kicking it off at the beginning of June, we had Asper 101, an info session for newly admitted students on what to expect this September. From TCW to Mentorship, to FYC, past students talked about their experiences to help prepare first-year students to transition to university.
2. STAG Start-up Conference
This conference brought together executives from Asper’s 14 Student Action Groups (STAGs) for a day of learning and exchanging ideas. STAG executives were able to attend workshops to share and discuss the challenges they are currently facing. It holds as a welcome event to mingle with other STAGs Presidents and Vice Presidents, as well as their coordinating committee.
Madeline Boonstra, the currently Vice President of Charity with Team Toba JDC West at the Asper School of Business, testifies:
“STAG Fest was an incredible opportunity for Asper’s STAGS to share ideas, connect, and grow our excitement for the upcoming school terms. Asper has many STAGS and together we were able to build anticipation for the student-filled building, many upcoming initiatives, and the opportunities for student growth.
Not only was STAG fest a place for us to connect on our ideas and inspiration for the year ahead, but it was also a place for us to share our concerns on the move back to in person learning. With the plan to move back into in person learning in the fall, many of Asper’s STAGs share a variety of worries and problem areas. STAG fest was an amazing way for us to relate to one another and provide support to our fellow students.
Overall, STAG fest was a great experience and I thoroughly enjoyed connecting with many like-minded students in such a great atmosphere. It made me proud to be an Asper Student and a leader in the school, and I hope that there will be many more STAG fests to come!”
Harsh Thakkar, the Vice President of the University of Manitoba Marketing Association (UMMA), adds:
“STAG Startup was a perfect orientation for STAG’s. The STAG Startup was a great opportunity to connect with the CSA Execs and STAG Execs. It helped me to clarify any questions that I had from the CSA and discuss those questions with everyone. As classes are heading back in-person in the upcoming year this was a great opportunity discuss on how to deal with engagement, event planning, and many more topics to prepare for the upcoming year.”
The STAG Start-up Conference was an amazing success filled with wonderful exchanges of ideas. This event brought Asper’s Student Action Groups closer together, and we can’t wait to see each STAGs plans for upcoming school year!
3. Shinerama
ShineToba is BACK in person! Harbouring over 35,000 student volunteers from 45 Canadian post-secondary institutions across the country, Shinerama is an annual fundraising campaign in support of Cystic Fibrosis Canada. In the past month, ShineToba has coordinated fundraising efforts such as a Trivia Night at the Wood Tavern, a Zumba Class hosted by Megan Gareau, and a Can Collection at Flatlanders’ Beer Festival—an event raising over $800!
Want to support the Shinerama Committee and help make a difference in the lives of those battling cystic fibrosis? ShineToba is currently recruiting volunteers in their upcoming Can Collection at Super Spike on July 22nd and 23rd.
For more information about ShineToba, its events, and how to donate, follow their Instagram @shinetoba or check out the following list to discover ShineToba’s upcoming events!
July 22-24: Can Collection at Super Spike
August 6: ShineToba Car Wash
August 20: Spin Class with Shine
September 7-21: Used Textbook Sale – Buy and sell used textbooks, and have a portion of the proceeds go to Cystic Fibrosis Canada
September 15: Shine Day Internal – The Shine Village event will take place on the Fort Garry Campus Quad for students to enjoy some ice cream, music, and photos with an alpaca!
September 30: Shine Day External – In partnership with the Winnipeg business community, ShineToba will organize donation booths all across the city!